She may play a goth icon on-screen, but at the 2025 Met Gala, Jenna Ortega looked every inch the futuristic fashion queen...
...and she just so happened to be wearing the perfect dress for measuring "every inch".
The Wednesday star, 22, turned heads as she arrived at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday night, stepping onto the red carpet in a stunning custom creation by Balmain that left jaws on the floor.
At first glance, Ortega’s look appeared to be a textured silver dress with a sleek strapless silhouette. But eagle-eyed fans quickly spotted an incredible detail: the dress was crafted entirely from metallic rulers used by pattern makers.
“A poetical ode to couture and craftsmanship, her sleek sheath dress is crafted entirely from the metallic rulers used by pattern makers, placed vertically along the body to enhance the silhouette to create a bustier gown sculpted on her body,” Balmain explained in an official release, per PEOPLE.
“Jenna’s look is an ode to the art of craftsmanship, to couture, and the atelier where hands work meticulously, shaping fabric into magic,” said Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing to WWD. “No symbol captures it more poetically than the metallic meter, a quiet tribute to craft and precision.”
“Tailoring has always been part of Balmain, it’s a legacy of beauty, form and unapologetic elegance. It’s our soul. The bustier gown sculpted on her body is not just a garment, but a piece of strength, a symbol of her presence as an actress, a woman, a force.”
A Look Worth the Weight
The striking design didn’t come without challenges — Ortega reportedly needed assistance from her team of minders to make her way up the iconic Met steps.
But the effort was well worth it. The actress completed her look with Old Hollywood-inspired waves, smoky gray eyeshadow, a deep burgundy lip, and a selection of silver accessories — including diamond rings and earrings by Hearts On Fire and Christian Louboutin’s Nenecheritza silver platform heels, WWD reports.
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And fans certainly appreciated the unique look.
"Jenna Ortega wore a dress made of “metallic rulers” at the Met Gala," one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote. "She is such a queen."
"Oh this detailing with the rulers is so clever," another X user tweeted, with another adding: "The rulers for tailoring is so clever".
"I love how Olivier Rousteing took his inspiration for his looks from the tools that are used to create tailored designs," another X user wrote.
What Was the Theme?
This year’s Met Gala theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with a dress code titled “Tailored for You.” The concept explored the tradition and transformation of Black dandyism — a cultural aesthetic stretching from the 18th century to the present day.
“The exhibit ‘presents a cultural and historical examination of Black style from the 18th century to the present through an exploration of the concept of dandyism,’” according to a post on the museum’s Instagram.
The event was co-chaired by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour, with LeBron James serving as honorary chair.
“The theme was reportedly based off the vision of author Monica L. Miller, who wrote the 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.”
A Regular at Fashion’s Biggest Night
Monday marked Jenna Ortega’s third time attending the Met Gala, having made her debut in 2022 and returning again in 2023. But this might be her most daring look yet — and fans are already placing her firmly on the Best Dressed list.
Among the night’s other fashion highlights were Halle Berry in a daring sheer gown, Sydney Sweeney in a glamorous black beaded number, and Lorde, who showed up in a near-nude top and skirt.
Oh, and Rihanna casually revealed she’s pregnant with her third child on the red carpet.
But it was Ortega’s ruler dress — part sculpture, part fashion marvel — that truly stole the spotlight.